Thankfully, finding Rowan was easier than finding Linn. Yesterday's Temple Knight ruined his usual spot, but he had backup locations. Crowded streets were essential—space to set up his games without interfering with legitimate businesses. Following his pattern, I guessed where he'd be today. Sure enough, there he was.
"Oh madam, fortune favors you—but alas, the prize remains elusive! Try again tomorrow!"
I smiled faintly, tapping him on the shoulder from behind.
"Whoa! Step forward—oh! Vita! Hey, kid! How are you?"
I nodded.
"Good. Are you here for help or questions?"
Hmm… both. My issue wasn't urgent.
"Both." I whispered. He grinned wider.
"Perfect! Alright, everyone, my lovely assistant has arrived!"
I joined his game, focusing as best I could. I wanted to improve my role as his partner. And I had noticed something recently I wanted to observe more closely.
Rowan earned a lot of money.
I didn't understand currency well. I had never handled much. I knew coins were engraved chitin from domesticated monsters in Skyreach's upper districts. Their intricate patterns made forgery near impossible—any attempt would draw the city guard's attention before I finished saying investment fraud (though I didn't know what that meant). Still, I recognized basic prices. Judging from Rowan's earnings, he could afford far more food than he actually bought.
Why didn't he?
I pushed the thought aside for now, continuing my assisting duties. Everything went smoothly until a familiar helmet appeared.
…Why was the Temple Knight back? We were on the opposite side of the city! And he was coming straight for me again! Oh no—had I been exposed? Could he see the souls I hid? I was doomed! Definitely doomed!
The knight joined the line for Rowan's game. He simply… waited like any customer. I exchanged a worried glance with Rowan. He mouthed silently: I have absolutely no idea what's happening.
And yet, it was happening!
Thankfully, Rowan switched back to the classic shell-and-ball trick, keeping me out of direct interaction. I sat beside him, shrinking as much as possible. Time dragged until the knight finally reached the front.
"Three rounds, please." He said flatly, placing payment on the table.
"Of course, sir." Rowan replied cheerfully, expertly positioning the cups. Behind the helmet, the knight's expression was unreadable.
Rowan started round one—no tricks, just speed. The knight tracked effortlessly, pointing correctly.
"Nice eyes, sir! Always wondered—if you wear those visors, does it affect your vision?"
"Unfortunately, yes," the knight answered casually. "They limit peripheral sight. I dislike it, but preferable to getting shot in the face."
Rowan chuckled, beginning round two. I watched as he cast illusions beneath the table, subtly moving the ball only once.
"To be honest, sir, I'm surprised to see a noble Temple Knight visiting my humble stand. Of course, honored to have you here."
His tone was light, but I struggled to keep my composure. The knight guessed the correct cup again, unaffected by the illusion.
"Truthfully, I don't play games often," the knight admitted. "Still, I didn't mean to ruin your business yesterday. I should have been more careful. Apologies."
Rowan grinned—genuine or fake, I couldn't tell. Round three began.
"Well, sir, if you don't want to ruin my business, maybe try not guessing right every time."
"Ah. But isn't that the point of the game? A test of observation and skill."
"You're not wrong, sir." Rowan agreed.
Behind the table, I saw the ball move from one cup to his hand, then seamlessly into another—no magic, just clever sleight-of-hand. This time, the knight failed. Rowan raised the cups triumphantly.
"Hm." The knight said. "Well played. I didn't see that. Young man, your mastery of this craft is impressive. But I must say… you're wasting your potential. You could achieve far more."
Rowan shrugged, still smiling.
"Unless you're offering me a job, sir, I don't have many options."
The knight leaned in.
"What if I were?"
Silence fell across the table. Rowan's smile faltered.
"…I'll need to think about it."
"Please do." The knight nodded politely, extending his hand. Rowan shook it firmly.
"And young lady," he added, turning to me. "Take care of yourself."
Instinctively, I recoiled. I didn't know what Temple Knights could do. Touching that hand might mean my death. A stolen human soul writhed within me. I clung to Rowan like a frightened child, burying my face against his side. Truthfully, I was terrified—but the act helped.
"Sorry," Rowan apologized, patting my head. "She's shy."
The knight sighed, perhaps embarrassed by his intimidating presence.
"Alright." He said, placing something on the table. "For her. Young man, buy her something nice to eat."
He stepped back, revealing a large coin.
"…Will do, sir." Rowan replied carefully.
The knight nodded and left. I stayed wrapped around Rowan until he vanished from sight. Strategically necessary, of course. Definitely not because Rowan was warm and comforting. Nor because his soul was beautiful!
…Okay, maybe partly. I rarely received hugs. I would enjoy this one. And Rowan's soul—shimmering like a rainbow—was especially tempting.
"Kid," Rowan whispered. "Looks like you got your first tip. Think we should pack up early."
"Okay." I agreed.
We packed up quietly, heading home. He remained unusually silent on the way back, which suited me. Some conversations were better had in private.
On the way home (such as it was), Rowan used the knight's coin to buy food. Enough for everyone . Leftovers, even! The children hadn't eaten this well in weeks. Two days in a row felt unprecedented.
Back at the Shack, I helped distribute meals. The children didn't cheer or cry. Just hungry mouths opening, desperate to survive. I knew their gratitude, though unspoken. Weeks ago, I was one of them. Now? Not much different.
After dinner, Rowan and I returned to the cellar. He poured himself water from a bucket, taking a sip before speaking.
"All right, kid. What's on your mind?"
I had many thoughts—but blurted:
"I like your soul."
Rowan spat out his drink, drenching me in spit and water.
"What?!"
"It's cute," I explained, face burning. "And pretty. Like a moving rainbow. And big! Not as big as Linn's, but bigger than… well, most."
My voice faded under his concerned gaze. Why did I say that?
"You adapt to your gift fast, huh?" He said softly, taking another cautious sip.
"Linn said I should use it. It's part of me. And… I can't help but feel souls when I touch people. It just happens."
He nodded slowly, setting the cup down.
"A secondary sense, then. Makes sense. Guess I'll accept the compliment."
I smiled.
"Will you take the job?"
He frowned, leaning back in his chair.
"That's the thing, kid. I can't even begin to imagine what that job is . What does a Temple Knight want with a mediocre kinetic mage who cons people for a living? They have better mages. And that coin… feels odd."
"I'm not a kid." I insisted.
"Right. Anyway, Vita—you weren't going to talk about yourself , were you?"
He took another sip. I nodded.
"I think the Mistwatcher ate part of my soul last night."
Again, water sprayed across my face. Rowan coughed violently while I wiped myself dry.
"Stop doing that," I begged. "Water's precious."
"Then stop saying terrifying things! The Mistwatcher ate your soul?"
"Just a tiny bit. I pulled out a shard and put it in Roscoe—the stuffed bird? It worked! He moved. Hugged me. But later, in the middle of the night, something… something vast and cold hovered over me. Draped in dreams and realities I barely understood. It shouldn't have touched me—but it did. Carelessly brushing past, stealing, erasing, consuming a fragment of my soul while I froze in silent terror…"
"…It took it."
Rowan frowned.
"You think that was the Mistwatcher? Why?"
I hugged myself tightly.
"…What else could it be?"
Rowan slowly nodded.
"Could be anything we don't understand. But if something eats stray soul fragments, at least it explains why this island isn't overrun with dead rats' souls."
I considered.
"…But no one took Gregor's. Except me. And I held it longer!"
Rowan's smile strained.
"…Maybe it only feeds at night? No, that doesn't make sense. Zombies would die at night then. Maybe it's about the material? Natural revenants don't exist, but zombies appear after nearly every battle."
I nodded.
"…Corpse-based feels better. I just wanted to hug Roscoe."
Rowan's smile grew painful. Oops—did mentioning corpses unsettle him? He took another sip, failing to mask his discomfort.
"Sorry," I whispered. "I think I'm adapting too fast."
"Yeah." He sighed. "Doing what you're good at feels great. I get it. You discovered a rare ability—one only you can use. But don't forget, Vita: you're a necromancer. Don't lose yourself in this power. I'll help however I can. Promise. But swear to me—you won't lose who you are. Okay?"
Easier said than done, Rowan. I was already a heretic. Didn't that disqualify me?
"There's something else," I blurted, fighting tears. For some reason, this was harder to say.
"I feel like I'm becoming someone else. Like everything before was a distant, terrible memory. Days of hunger, clinging to survival alone. But now… now I kill. Today, I faced two killers. Standing beside a corpse. I… I thought they'd kill me too."
I looked up at him, eyes wide with fear. He listened, expression serious.
"So I decided to strike first. I planned it. They didn't attack—but if they had, I would've torn one apart, forced him to kill the other. And… they tried to recruit me afterward."
Silence stretched between us. Rowan took another sip.
"Kid, this is heavy for you."
"I'm not a kid." I scowled.
"…Yeah." He conceded. "Maybe not."
Rain pattered above.
"Damn, the Mistcup came fast. We need to seal the windows, Vita. Let's go."
I nodded, following him up the ladder.
"…Also, Vita? We'll help you through this. Linn and I. But you need to decide who you want to become. Okay?"
"Okay." I agreed. "Okay, Rowan."
The children helped seal the Shack against the storm. Night fell, and everyone drifted to sleep. Oddly, Linn hadn't returned. Unusual for her to stay out after dark. I worried—but at least tonight, the Mistwatcher didn't return.
I knew that for certain—because I didn't sleep a wink.